Merci, Monsieur le President.
Peace Officers
It was noted that the requirement for polling station accounts was removed from the Act in 2018 but some references to it remain. The CEO notes that the removal of the polling station accounts eliminates the reporting on whether peace officers are appointed at polls and the reasons why a peace officer was appointed. The CEO believes the requirement to report on such appointments remains important and should be retained.
Recommendation 5
The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that references to "polling station account" be removed from the Act and that a provision be added to section 119(4) that requires any deputy returning officer who appoints a peace officer to state their reasons for doing so in writing to the returning officer as soon as possible.
Recommendation 6
The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that section 205(e) of the Elections and Plebiscites Act be amended to require that a returning officer include, in their report of proceedings, any appointments of peace officers made under s. 119(4) of the Act.
Electoral Boundaries Commission
The Electoral Boundaries Commission provided their final report to the Assembly. It was tabled on May 27, 2022 (Tabled Document 654-19(2)). Their report recommended that the Elections and Plebiscites Act be amended to clearly allow the Commission to receive information from the register of electors. Section 77 of the Act states that information contained in the register of electors can only be used for an election or plebiscite; however, section 9 of the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act requires the Commission to consider information in the register of elections. The CEO supports this recommendation, as it would allow for information sharing and support the work of the Commission in recommending changes to electoral boundaries. Committee agrees.
Recommendation 7
The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that the Elections and Plebiscites Act be amended to allow an Electoral Boundaries Commission to receive information from the register of electors under section 77.
Business Days
The CEO has noted that a candidate's financial report is due within 60 calendar days under the Act. When elections were traditionally held on a Monday, this resulted in a candidate's financial report being due on a Friday. When polling shifted to Tuesday, the reporting deadline became a Saturday when Elections NWT is closed. The CEO recommends amending the Act to refer to "business days" rather than "calendar days". Committee agrees.
Recommendation 8
The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that the Elections and Plebiscites Act be amended to allow for a candidate's financial report to be submitted within 45 business days rather than 60 calendar days.
Conclusion
The committee wishes to thank the CEO, Mr. Stephen Dunbar, for the additional research and recommendations provided in his auxiliary report.
This concludes the Committee's review of the Chief Electoral Officer's Auxiliary Report on the 2019 General Election. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.